Best Scroll Saw

Woodwork can be a very rewarding and enjoying activity and it can be the substance of a very strong bond between a father and a son. However, as more and more parents are coming to realize, it can be very difficult to interest a child into something else then a computer. However, a scroll saw has been the first step for many of us into the world of woodworking and, for some of us it is still a passion even to this day. So, we took into consideration both of these perspectives: we looked at the scroll saws on the market today from the point of view of a parent trying to get a child interested in woodwork, but also from the point of view of a professional woodworker looking for the right tool for his craft. We found some very interesting models and were actually happy to see that the market has actually evolved these past years and that there are some very interesting new models to be enjoyed. So what we did was, we started off with the following table, highlighting the most relevant information about each product, and then we came up with a detailed review for each product. So make sure to scroll past the table to find our reviews before you decide on what product you would like to buy.

1. DEWALT DW788 1.3 Amp 20-Inch Variable-Speed Scroll Saw

Our first and best choice is the DeWalt DW788 scroll saw. There are cheaper scroll saws on our list, just as there are some that are more expensive, but the reason we started off this list with the DeWalt DW788 is because it embodies the perfect balance between quality and price. It uses a 1.3 Amp motor, which is quite a powerful choice for a scroll saw, but that simply means it will be able to power through any type of wood and any given thickness. It is one of the most silent scroll saws we have ever had the chance to work with, and DeWalt actually did their best to design it from the ground up for that effect. For one, the arm pivots from the back, which, in turn, shortens the arm movement, and thus making the entire machine a more quite one. Second, the arm as a parallel-link design, which enables it to hold down the wood from both sides of the cut, and thus greatly reduce vibrations and further reduce the noise of the machine. You can control the speed of the cutting blade from an easy to use knob located on top of the arm, close to the on/off switch, and you also have a nice little dust blower that will keep your working surface clean. The blade can be easily released with a tool free clamp system, so you can thread it through the wood for perfect interior cuts. Overall, this is a machine that can be an excellent tool for a child and for an adult, thanks in part to its 20 inch wood thickness capacity.

2. Excalibur Scroll Saw 16 inch

Most of us who used a scroll saw in school will probably remember working with an Excalibur and we were happy to see that they are still designing some incredibly competitive scroll saws. This one has only a 16 inch capacity, but it more than makes up for that fact because it has a tilt ability that will allow you to cut through various pieces of wood at an angle. There is also an 21″ Excalibur scroll saw on the market, but that was a little bit too pricy and it did not make our list. Just as you remember from school, the blade can be removed without the need for any tools so it will be incredibly easy to do any threat work that you may need to do. The other thing that we love about this model of the Excalibur scroll saw is the extra large table surface, that will prove a great help to children who do not yet have the training required for some of the more detailed work.

3. Delta Power Tools 40-694 20 In. Variable Speed Scroll Saw

If you think that the tilt mechanism on the Excalibur is something that you could use, but you simply cannot afford to pay that much, you may be tempted to go for the Delta Power Tools 40-694. It has an electronic variable speed system on the blade from 400 to 1,750 SPM or strokes per minute. It too has a double parallel arm that clamps down on the wood, thus reducing vibrations and, implicitly, the noise level. The one thing that we did not like was the fact that the motor itself was a bit noisier than on the Excalibur and the DeWalt, but it was still in normal parameters. In fact, if you take into consideration that the Delta Power Tools 40-694 allows you to change the blade without any tools, and that the arms locks into position while changing the blade, there is really nothing more that needs to be said about the qualities of this machine.

4. Skil 3335-07 1.2 Amp 16 in. Scroll Saw

If this scroll saw is just an experiment for you, in the sense that you are not sure you are going to keep up with it or not, you will probably want to make as small as investment as possible. In that case we believe that the Skil 3335-07 is the best option for you. Skil usually make all types of power tools for reasonable prices and a quality level way above what you would expect given the price. The Skil 3335-07 is no exception from that rule, with a 1.2 Amp motor and 16 inches of cutting space. The work table actually tilts allowing to make cuts at any given angle you may need and it also has a double arm system that holds the wood in place and reduces vibrations.

5. Dremel MS20-01 Moto-Saw Variable Speed Compact Scroll Saw Kit

The Dremel MS20-01 is one of those machines that we alluded to in the beginning when we said that we were actually surprised by some of the most recent developments on the market. We can only describe the Dremel MS20-01 as a mobile scroll saw, and a very good one at that. It is the perfect tool to use when cutting almost any type of fitting in the home. It can also be connected to its own work table, and you can use that as a regular scroll saw. The point, though, is that this is a very versatile tool and its universe has just expanded to a whole new area.

6. Proxxon 37090 DSH/E Scroll Saw

Now that we have given you our top 5 choices for the best scroll saw, we can go into detailing some other, rather interesting offers on the market. For one is the Proxxon 37090 DSH/E, which is quite reasonably priced, more expensive than the Skil, of course, but then again the quality of the machine is also clearly better than the Skil. It does make for a very interesting choice because it comes with its own set of 10 blades, 5 fine and 5 course, that allow you to start working from the moment you unpack it.

7. Rikon 10-600VS Scroll Saw With Lamp

Yet another alternative to the scroll saws we have seen so far is the Rikon 10-600VS. You can adjust the speed of the strokes from 550 to 1650 SPM and it has a powerful 1.2 Amps motor. We were quite impressed with the large cutting table as well as with the fact that the table itself is quite light since it is made from aluminum. You can further tilt the table anywhere from 0 to a 45 degree angle, and we cannot highlight more just how important that function can be. However, you should also be aware of the fact that Rikon 10-600VS is one of the noisiest scroll saws we have ever tested.

8. Proxxon 37088 Scroll Saw

We already featured a Proxon in our top 10 list, but we decided we had to also feature the 37088 because it is one of the most precise tables we have ever had the chance to work on. In a practice that focuses more on redrawn lines or flair, it is quite unusual to find a scroll saw that will allow you to perfectly set both the vertical and the horizontal angle. That having been said, though, we also have to tell you that this scroll saw does not have any a grip arm and it can be quite a dangerous tool for kids because much of the blade is completely exposed.

9. Central Machinery 16″ Variable Speed Scroll Saw

If you want a machine that looks like a traditional Excalibur, but also want to pay as little as possible, than you can go with the Central Machinery Scroll Saw. The machine we have used worked quite well, but we did hear reports of people who had to return it because the machine did not work right out of the box. Having said that, it also seems fair to infer that this scroll saw might not work for a very long time if you plan to use it daily. However, if you just want to play around every once in a while, and you are already accustomed to the Excalibur, the Central Machinery Scroll Saw is the much cheaper alternative.

10. Rockwell RK7315 Shop Series 16-Inch Scroll Saw

The final scroll saw on our list is the Rockwell RK7315. It is what some of us came to call the iScroll Saw, because it really has the lines and colors of something designed by Apple. However, it does not work as well as an Apple product, and it does feel quite flimsy. Again, this is more a scroll saw for someone who will only use it occasionally, but who want to have a nice show piece in the garage.